The Reborn Witch Princess

King of Loton

Upon arriving at the Meeting Hall, Rara's eyebrows shot up in momentary shock. The sight before her was both unexpected and disconcerting. Prince Xavier lounged on the grand throne, his posture nonchalant and commanding, while King Loton stood beside him, appearing slightly out of place. The throne, an opulent seat adorned with intricate gold carvings, seemed almost too grand for the aged king.

Rara couldn't help but roll her eyes and shake her head at Prince Xavier's apparent disrespect. His casual demeanor contrasted sharply with the gravity of the occasion.

King Loton, a figure clearly in his sixties or seventies, bore the unmistakable signs of age. His face was a map of deep wrinkles, and his once-straight posture was slightly bent, giving him a stooped appearance. His gray hair was neatly combed, but his overall bearing was frail.

Prince Xavier, in stark contrast, exuded a youthful arrogance. Seated on the throne, he maintained an air of casual authority, as if the grandeur of the Hall was merely an extension of his personal space. His gaze flicked towards Rara when she rolled her eyes, but his expression remained unchanged, save for a fleeting smirk.

"Lady Chihara?" Prince Xavier's voice rang out, cutting through the murmur of the room.

Rara's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name. Instantly, she straightened her posture, aligning herself with the guards from Haguar's Kingdom who were positioned in the center of the hall. Her eyes darted nervously around the opulent room, noting the grandeur of the Hall's architecture—gilded columns, high vaulted ceilings, and rich tapestries depicting scenes of past glories.

King Loton, casting a nervous glance at Prince Xavier, addressed him with a mixture of relief and subservience. "Your Excellency, on behalf of my people, I wish to express our deepest gratitude. We are deeply in your debt. If there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to ask."

Prince Xavier raised a single eyebrow, a gesture that seemed both intrigued and dismissive. "Oh?"

King Loton's eyes twitched involuntarily. His composure faltered slightly.

"How about giving your kingdom to me?" Prince Xavier suggested with a sardonic smile, his tone light but laced with an unmistakable edge.

The reaction was immediate and visceral. The king's face, along with those of his ministers, drained of color. The room fell into stunned silence, the weight of the prince's audacious demand hanging heavily in the air.

"What? Are you unwilling?" Prince Xavier's eyebrows arched in mock surprise, his smile now a blatant provocation.

Rara watched the scene unfold, her disapproval palpable. Despite Prince Xavier's striking appearance, his actions marred his otherwise handsome face with a layer of disdainful cunning.

Assistant Bear, standing beside Rara, nudged her sharply. "Mind your manners in front of outsiders. Don't let your lack of decorum be visible."

Rara winced at the jolt and rubbed her sore waist. She glared at Assistant Bear but quickly redirected her attention back to the unfolding drama.

Inside the palace, the disparity between appearances and reality was stark. While the king and his ministers looked relatively well-off, the palace guards were in fine shape, the evidence of their supposed suffering from famine seemed non-existent. However, two maids standing behind the ministers betrayed a different story. Their faces were ghostly pale, their eyes sunken, and despite heavy makeup, their skeletal frames were apparent. They coughed intermittently, their hands trembling as they tried to cover their mouths.

Rara's frown deepened as she observed the bony hands and the emaciated figures of the maids, which starkly contrasted with the otherwise well-maintained palace.

"Hahaha... Your Excellency, you must be jesting. How could I refuse such a request? If you truly desire my kingdom, you may have it. We are but a small kingdom, after all," the king responded, his voice strained and quivering.

Prince Xavier's demeanor shifted, his smile fading into a cold, assessing stare. "So, you think I'm bullying you?" His voice took on a frosty tone.

King Loton, visibly shaken, immediately bowed deeply, his hands outstretched as he begged for mercy. "Your Excellency, that's not what I meant..." His voice trembled, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Without a word, Prince Xavier stood, his gaze lingering on the bowed figure of the king before he turned on his heel and exited the hall. The entourage followed him out, leaving the king and his ministers in a stunned silence.

They proceeded to the left yard of the castle, crossing a quaint stone bridge to reach the guest quarters.

The guest quarters consisted of a central three-story house, surrounded by four smaller houses, reminiscent of the layout of Prince Xavier's own castle in Haguar's Kingdom, though on a slightly reduced scale. In front of the main house was a picturesque large pond, adding a touch of serenity to the otherwise tense atmosphere.

The guards were assigned to the three smaller houses, while Prince Xavier, Rara, Assistant Bear, and Mayonne were accommodated in the main house. The fourth small house served as the kitchen.

The main house was divided into three levels: the first floor housed a dining hall and a meeting room, the second floor contained study rooms, libraries, and servant quarters, while the top floor was reserved for the main guests. Prince Xavier occupied the room on the left side of the top floor, and Rara was given the room on the right. Assistant Bear's quarters were located opposite Prince Xavier's room.

"My Lady, it's time for dinner!" Mayonne's voice called out, knocking on Rara's door for the third time.

"Yes, yes! I'm coming!" Rara responded, emerging from the shower. She had chosen a dark blue, starry long-sleeve dress and was now brushing her long red hair, still adjusting to the new color.

As she opened the door, Mayonne's hand was poised mid-knock. Her eyes took in Rara's appearance with approval. "Hmmm... not bad. My lady, for a moment, I mistook you for a princess."

Rara offered an awkward smile as Mayonne, with a sly grin, gently but firmly guided her back into the room. "Mayonne, what are you doing?" Rara asked, confusion clear as she was seated at her makeup table.

Mayonne's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she retrieved the ornate box from the car and placed it on the table. Rara's face paled at the sight of the familiar box, and she shivered with apprehension.

Mayonne's eyes sparkled with determination.

Five minutes later.

"Mayonne, it's just dinner. Why do I need to wear makeup?" Rara complained as Mayonne hurried her down the stairs.

"You are a Chosen Lady, and the queen said that your appearance reflects on her," Mayonne explained, her tone both firm and sympathetic.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the door to Prince Xavier's room opened, revealing a striking sight. A young woman with curly brown hair emerged, wearing a white and black princess gown. A sheer black shoulder coat draped elegantly over her shoulders, and her poised, graceful stride exuded regal elegance.

Rara's eyes widened in awe, her admiration evident. "A goddess!" she thought to herself, captivated by the woman's ethereal beauty.